Saturday, 28 April 2012

A few of my painted wooden pieces are available from the brand new Modern Times Pop-Up #3 at 311 Smith Street, Fitzroy. I realised just before that my volcano and Mr Sloane clock above are microscopically visible in Lucy Feagins' lovely photos on The Design Files, so I have stolen them, with some shame.

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

The Big Rain by Francoise Seignobosc, 1961; this edition published in Leicester in 1966. Seignobosc is one of my favourite illustrators, and I absolutely love every little detail in this book. Thanks for lending, W.

Saturday, 14 April 2012

Images from Svijet Oko Nas (The World Around Us) a children's encyclopedia first published by Skolska Knjiga, Zagreb, in 1960. These images are from volume I. My brother and I adored these books, and we still argue over who they belong to today. I will state here officially that he had the rights to volume I, and mine were to volume II, but I kindly allow him to look after both.
Some more spectacular images in my flickr set.

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

It was with a stomach full of butterflies that I turned on my computer this morning and saw my own face staring back at me on the front page ofEtsy. The interview and photoswere actually done well over a month ago but I was asked to not to announce my impending feature via the internet (though of course I had to tell all of my friends straight away!).

Thank you to Warren Kirk for the beautiful photos of my studio, and for the portrait, which was akin to pulling teeth (for both photographer and very unenthusiastic subject). Here are some of the shots that did not make it into the article:

Last but by no means least: HUGE huge thanks to the lovely Kirsteene Phelan, Etsy manager for Australia, for suggesting my shop in the first place! I owe you my life Kirsteene!!!

Monday, 9 April 2012

A couple of weeks ago I was honoured to receive an email from Penelope Durston asking me if I would like to accept a small collection of old table tennis bats on which I might paint. Who am I to say no to a thoughtful offer like that?!
I spent a couple of hours today sanding and then priming the little bats, after collecting a series of images which might both suit their format and be a little at odds with it. I only had time enough to actually complete one today, above, inspired by a photo of a man in slavic costume from a 1960s National Geographic magazine. I like the curtain behind him: it makes me think of aunts and soup.
Have a look here too atSandra Winkworth'sbeautiful bird painted bat, which lives with me!

Thursday, 5 April 2012

I have been making some patchwork cushions for my other Etsy shop. They are all one-of-a-kind, made largely from vintage fabrics, with some Liberty of London, French provincial and kimono fabrics added for good measure. I am a big fan of patchwork, and I love arranging odd combinations and seeing how they work as a whole. The first one,above, is folk inspired and very 'me', whatever that is.

The third oneabove was an attempt to channel a bit of Pilgrim Lee, but my collection of fabrics might not have been quite bold and bright enough! But I think that the result is still interesting.
More is more, hooray!!!

Hello!

This blog is both a record of my work and an attempt to contribute to the vast inspiration that thousands of other creative people have given me via the internet.
I worked for many years in the fashion industry, designing prints, textiles and developing products for children. I now work as a freelance illustrator and make a variety of work under my own name. Some of the things that I make can be found in my etsy shop and in galleries and stores around Australia.